I'm not opposed to partying. In fact, I quite enjoy it. Since starting this gig at STREET CHOPPER last year, I've been to a couple of motorcycle events and had a great time: This industry is full of good people, most of whom don't seem to mind the fact that I'm still learning and full of questions. So when Shannon McKnight of San Diego's Dublin Mob Choppers invited me to their annual Paddy Ride and the following party, I was game. Who cared if his crew looked like they'd "walked off the set of a Martin Scorsese film?" (His words, I swear.) I'm an adventurous sort, and besides, this shop has Flogging Molly playing on their website. Ernie said I'd have a good time with them. So I went.
I also brought friends.
Friends who knew nothing about motorcycles.
I can see some of you just shaking your heads. I brought newbies to a bike show? A hardcore one? Shame on me. But y'know what, we all have to start somewhere. The Fabulous Ernie Lopez wanted to go along as official photographer, but he was in Daytona, and I was going to be in town anyway for a concert, so he suggested that I stop by the Dublin Mob and see what was up. My two friends heard there were motorcycles involved and volunteered (well, demanded) to accompany me, and who can blame them? There's a sort of coolness associated with bikers; they're perceived as rebels, members of some wild fringe society that occasionally comes into contact with our own. The opportunity to hang out with a whole bunch of them could not be passed up.
(We'd also just seen Ghost Rider the week prior, which I'm sure facilitated additional interest. Happily, nothing burst into flames while we were at the show.)
The day kicked off with the Paddy Ride, with a line of bikers making their way through the Otay Ranch and Golf Course to the backside of Rancho San Diego to Hooley's, an Irish Pub. A couple of pints later, it was back to DMC headquarters for a barbecue, music, and general festivities. That's when we turned up.